Scenario: You sign up for a social media account and later discover your profile is publicly visible by default.

Many platforms set privacy to “open” by default, encouraging data sharing. Check these settings right away to ensure your posts and profile are restricted to only your contacts or private.

Tip: Always adjust default settings immediately after creating any account to align with your privacy preferences.

Scenario: You want to access a news article but are prompted to create an account first.

Many sites use forced registration to gather personal information. If possible, find alternative sources that don’t require account creation.

Tip: Avoid registering for one-time access needs. Look for credible alternative sources when registration isn’t necessary.

Scenario: You’re signing up for a service that prompts you to link it to a social media account for faster access.

Account linking allows companies to access data across services. Creating separate logins for each account reduces data sharing across platforms.

Tip: Avoid linking accounts across services. Set up individual credentials to keep your activities separate.

Scenario: A social media update sets your posts to “friends of friends,” increasing who can see your information.

Privacy settings can sometimes be updated without notice, increasing visibility. Regularly review and adjust your settings to ensure they match your preferences.

Tip: Schedule a quarterly privacy settings check on major platforms to maintain privacy control.

Scenario: A website offers a “free” product in exchange for your email and address, which later leads to spam emails and targeted ads.

These “free” perks often come at the cost of personal data collection. Be mindful of giving out data for services you don’t need.

Tip: Only accept free offers from trusted sources where the benefits outweigh potential data sharing.

Scenario: A photo app requests access to your contacts, even though it has no relevant function.

Some apps request unnecessary permissions to gather data. Only grant permissions required for the app’s functionality.

Tip: Review permissions during installation and deny access to contacts or location if not essential to the app.

Scenario: After saving your credit card details on a shopping site, you notice unauthorized transactions.

Storing payment details online can expose you to fraud if the site is compromised. Enter payment details manually each time for security.

Tip: Only save payment information on trusted sites, and consider alternative payment options when possible.

Scenario: You list your hometown and employer on your profile, which can lead to profiling by advertisers.

Keeping your social media profile information minimal reduces data accessible to advertisers and third parties.

Tip: Share only essential details on profiles and avoid listing work, location, or personal identifiers unless necessary.

Scenario: A new platform suggests you import contacts to find friends, leading to unsolicited messages sent to them.

Contact import features are often used to expand data networks. Limit contact sharing unless it’s essential to the platform’s functionality.

Tip: Avoid granting contact access unless it directly benefits you, and periodically review app permissions.

Scenario: A retail site offers a “personalized discount” if you provide your email, which results in spam emails.

“Personalized” offers are often a tactic to collect contact details for targeted marketing. Close pop-ups that ask for personal data unless it’s a known, trusted site.

Tip: Be skeptical of pop-ups that offer discounts in exchange for personal information unless the source is verified.

Scenario: After browsing for vacation destinations, you start receiving travel-related ads on social media and other sites.

Targeted ads are based on your browsing history and are often enabled by default. Most platforms have options to reduce ad targeting.

Tip: Opt out of ad personalization in account settings on platforms you use frequently to limit data-driven ads.

Scenario: You sign up for an app without reviewing terms and later find out it shares data with third parties for marketing.

Some services include clauses for third-party data sharing in their terms. Skimming for key terms can help you spot this quickly.

Tip: Search for terms like “third-party” and “data sharing” to understand how your information might be distributed.

Scenario: You select “Remember Me” on a public computer, which could allow others access to your account later.

The “Remember Me” feature can store login credentials on shared devices, posing a security risk if others use the device.

Tip: Only use “Remember Me” on personal, secure devices to keep your accounts safe.

Scenario: You’re concerned about unauthorized access to your email and bank accounts.

Enabling 2FA provides an added layer of security, requiring a second form of verification, like a code sent to your phone.

Tip: Enable 2FA on critical accounts, such as email and banking, for enhanced security.

Scenario: You realize you have old accounts on platforms you no longer use, which may still contain personal data.

Old accounts can become security risks if they’re compromised. Periodically deleting unused accounts can help reduce your digital footprint.

Tip: Keep a list of accounts and review them yearly to close any you no longer use.

Scenario: You share your live location on social media while on vacation, revealing you’re away from home.

Sharing real-time location can be risky, as it lets people know where you are—and where you aren’t.

Tip: Avoid live location sharing and post about your trips once you return home.

Scenario: You notice that after browsing for products, similar ads follow you across different sites.

Cookies track your browsing history and may store data long-term. Clearing cookies periodically helps minimize tracking.

Tip: Make it a habit to clear your browsing history and cookies regularly, or use incognito mode for sensitive searches.

Scenario: A new app requests access to your microphone, location, and photos, though it doesn’t require them to function.

Reviewing app permissions helps prevent unnecessary data sharing. Grant only essential permissions.

Tip: Regularly check and adjust app permissions to limit access to your personal information.

Scenario: A social app requests to access your contacts, and soon your friends start receiving invites on your behalf.

Some apps use contact access for data harvesting. Grant contact access only when necessary.

Tip: Review permissions for all apps and revoke contact access unless it’s truly essential.

Scenario: You use the same password across multiple sites, which becomes compromised, risking all your accounts.

Using unique passwords for each account ensures that one breach won’t compromise others.

Tip: Use unique passwords for every account, and consider using a password manager to keep them organized.

Scenario: A social media challenge encourages you to post your “first pet’s name,” which you’ve used as a security answer elsewhere.

Some “challenges” are designed to harvest common security answers, making it easier for hackers to guess.

Tip: Avoid sharing answers to questions that could compromise your security, even if it seems like harmless fun.

Scenario: You share a photo of your new ID, not realizing sensitive information is visible.

Personal documents often contain critical information. Once online, they can be exploited.

Tip: Avoid posting any part of personal IDs or documents publicly, even if portions are covered.

Scenario: You connect to a public Wi-Fi network at a coffee shop without realizing it’s unprotected.

Unsecured networks can expose your data to eavesdroppers. Limit sensitive activity on public Wi-Fi.

Tip: Use secure connections, or save sensitive browsing for later when you’re on a secure network.

Scenario: You post photos from vacation and later realize location data was included.

Many cameras and phones automatically add location metadata. Disabling location data keeps your whereabouts private.

Tip: Disable location tagging in your camera settings before sharing images online.

Scenario: You post live updates about a trip, signaling to anyone watching that you’re away from home.

Sharing real-time updates can indicate your absence. Posting once you’re back home can mitigate risks.

Tip: Delay trip updates until after you return to ensure safety and security.

Scenario: A social platform updates its terms, affecting privacy settings, but you’re unaware of the changes.

Platforms sometimes adjust privacy terms without direct notice. Regularly reviewing settings keeps you updated.

Tip: Mark your calendar to review privacy settings on major sites every few months.

Scenario: A weather app requests constant access to your location, even when not in use.

Constant location access can be intrusive and unnecessary. Adjust settings to “While Using the App” where possible.

Tip: Limit location access to essential apps only, and only allow access when the app is active.

Scenario: A platform updates its privacy policy, expanding what data can be shared with advertisers.

Social media platforms periodically update their privacy policies, sometimes increasing data-sharing permissions without your immediate knowledge.

Tip: Review privacy policy updates from social media platforms to understand how changes might impact your data sharing.

Scenario: You’re receiving ads tailored to recent searches, indicating that your search history is being tracked.

Adjusting privacy settings within your browser’s search preferences can help reduce tracking and targeted ads based on your browsing activity.

Tip: Regularly review and update your search engine privacy settings to prevent targeted ads based on search data.

Scenario: You find outdated information or personal details in search engine results that you can’t remove yourself.

Some information persists on the web and may not be easy to delete directly. Services like Wiperts.com help remove this data and reclaim control over your online presence.

Tip: Use Wiperts.com for a thorough sweep of your online presence to help protect your privacy and remove sensitive information from search engines.